Help for an idea for my work desk...

Hello guys. First time poster really but long long time lurker but this idea will be my first proper planted tank as I'm usually a salty only person with a nano reef but I've even interested in a planted tank for a very long time and finally at the point I can commit!

Sooo my first and most recent tank is currently pride of place only desk but I unknowingly didn't measure the marimo ball note the cube before buying and thus ended up with a vase too small and a ball too big . For the last week and half iv only had a half a cm of evaporation and I'm currently using tap water (not hard but not soft either) South Wales water supply

I do plan on keeping one type of animal in there. Maybe 2. A shrimp. And in a perfect world a Hawaii shrimp but they are proving difficult to get in the uk

The other would be a snail. But their not in it yet so don't panic. Current size. 8cmx4 vase.

Here's what I have at present

(The image is on my iphone not iPad so ill post it below)

I'm now considering upgrading it to something slightly bigger about 500ml to 1l jar. A Kilmer jar or the flattish sweet jars

The problems I face....... Can't be plugged into anything. Not using any leccy. The light I have is pretty rubbish but does the Job. It's a USB book light. But if any one can suggest a similar one that is USB it would be great otherwise it's plants requiring low lighting (but I am next to a window.

No animals (or perceived animals. So a few shrimp n snail be fine. No fish really tho. I could get away with live food ect but not flakes as I only work 5 days a week an prefer it to be a bit self sustaining.

Owing to no leccy it won't have a pump or filter. Lid will be off 24/7 (apart from water changes) n transporting. But I will be happy to do a water change every week. As I do now. I have a LFS (it's marine only) but I can get RO water from there.

So please guys. Can you give me some ideas for some plants. Containers. Substrate (I would prefer sand like the picture below but not good for planted . I have tried the ADA one but it leaches ammonia for a while which I'd rather not use .

Thanks for any help guys.

Gaz

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk so please ignore any spelling doodaaas I may make

Don't know much but I can help with some of your questions.
For substrate maybe something like FloraMax with a layer of sand on top, or one of GLA or Mr Aqua dirt depending on what is available.
As low light I would suggest a moss, like Java or Xmas maybe an anubias or java fern.

No expert but good luck and hope this helped.

__________________

How I feel about non-planted aquariums.

Last edited by assasin6547; 03-13-2013 at 09:06 PM..
Reason: Cuz I can

It looks nice.....but I don't think you should put any livestock in there. My guess is there is MaYbE 2 cups of water in there? I think the water parameters would change way too drastically very quickly....as would the temperature. And any shrimp or snail will almost definitely jump/climb out of that vessel.

I like the idea....looks nice....just don't think it will work. Sorry to be negative about it (I keep a betta in a 1 gallon bowl and get destroyed for that, even though that beast is thriving and living like a king).

It's actually a mugs worth of water in that tank but don't worry iv got no intention of putting anything live in the current container. I'm going to upgrade (hence any ideas you give me) from a mug to about 1/3ls. I will put a lid of sorts on there to stop anything escaping and evaporation but it will have holes in it for air

I though chirth snails were for salty tanks?

Thanks again guys keep the ideas coming . Even potentional containers . It can't look like a tank though. I have a15cm x 15 x15 container but I can't have it so using it at home for some triops :P

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk so please ignore any spelling doodaaas I may make

Ok.....good move then! Here's an idea for a plant for you.....pelia! It is a moss, but looks really nice.

In this picture (sorry for the crappy pic), I have it tied to mesh. There's a lot you can do with, and it is virtually maintenance free! If you can get your hands on a really small piece of driftwood (you can always cut from a bigger on) you can tie it to that and make a small tree of sorts. Check out what I did here;

That's actually a large piece of wood, and I have it tied to several branches. It really adds a nice touch. I like the idea of nana pettite, but it grows painfully slow. I've had some for a little over 6 months, and I've barely seen any growth.

Ok here's the mk1 tank. I'm not sure if I'm happy with it yet I guess I'll find out when I get it into work and get the marimo in there too with its stone

I bought an Anubis plant as I wanted a plant that could leave the top of the tank (and this had in the lfs) sadly they were a little confused by my request of a mangrove..... Which for a salty specialised lfs (maidenhead) it was a little worrying. I did add some duckweed but I hated it as It just went everywhere so I removed as best I could. Still some floating but can remedy that later.

Any suggestions welcome guys. The container is smaller than I wanted but I couldn't warrent the expensive of spending £20 in fuel to drive to ikea to buy just a £2 jar...... So maybe when I go next ill get it.

The substrate is jbl manado I do think I will put summet over it but not sure what. Would rather a more soily substrate as this is terrible as an anchor.

One thing I noticed. I went into 2 lfs near me. Both had an abysmal plant selection an the ones they did have either were mostly inappropriate or just in such a bad condition if it was a animal I would consider putting it down

Is there any plant sites uk bound any good?

Thanks guys

Gaz

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk please ignore any spelling typo thingys

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